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Tarver Expects Crawford To Perform Better Against Canelo Than Charlo Did

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Terence Crawford

Former world champion Antonio Tarver believes Terence Crawford would do better than Jermell Charlo in a potential showdown with Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

Last month, Charlo – who was the undisputed champion at 154 – moved up by two full weight divisions to challenge Canelo for the undisputed crown at super middleweight.

Canelo dominated the action from start to finish, winning a lopsided twelve round unanimous decision.

Crawford, the undisputed champion at welterweight, has expressed interest in moving up by three weight classes to challenge Canelo.

Tarver expects Crawford to be more competitive than Charlo if he steps in the ring with Canelo.

“[Canelo] showed that anyone moving up will have a problem and I thought early on Crawford would be the type of guy with his offensive weaponry. I’m not sure though moving up with that much weight would impact Crawford the same way [as it did Charlo]. He would be stronger, more powerful, and I think being in the ring with a guy like that will make you fight more different,” Tarver told Betway.

“It would be a lot more heated than the Charlo fight because Terence Crawford is one of those guys who means what he says. He isn’t there tapping, he’s standing on everything he says, and you have to respect fighters like that. I believe he would definitely have to get used to and adjusted to the natural strength and power of Canelo and that’s always the X Factor – power.”

Terence Bud Crawford

While some observers believe Canelo is now on the downslide of his career, Tarver disagrees.

“No because activity is the best thing for fighter. Canelo’s going to get two or three fights per year and he’s fighting guys coming off 15 month lay-off, they’re never going to be on top of their game. If there’s anything I’d like to see is these PBC fighters getting a lot more active, they need repetition and get in there and put everything on the line that’s how you stay sharp,” Tarver said.

“Back in my career, I slowed down in the last two or three years of my career. I was begging for fights trying to stay active but the nature of the business doesn’t allow you to. If I could urge any promoter coming into the game, get your fighters active, it has to be said with those fighters coming in with their long layoffs, their backs are against the wall already. They’re coming into fights unprepared because they just haven’t been active enough. If you fight in a major fight, you shouldn’t have a six or seven month layoff going into that fight, no, and some of those guys are coming more than a year where they haven’t competed at the highest level so if you don’t use what you’ve got, you lose what got.”

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BOXING

Claressa Shields: ‘When I get hit hard, I get mad and I want to hit you back harder than you hit me”

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Claressa Shields

Claressa Shields believes that, with rivals rising through championship class, a new era for women’s boxing is starting as the top middleweights and super-middleweights all fight each other in a sequence of exciting contests; But Shields is adamant she has the qualities that set her apart

After winning two Olympic gold medals and a plethora of world titles, Claressa Shields is a leading figure in the sport.

But with rivals rising through championship class as well, she believes they can usher in an exciting new era for women’s professional boxing.

Inspired by the ‘Four Kings’ – the era when Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns, Roberto Duran and Marvin Hagler all fought each other – Shields expects all the top female fighters around her weight to box one another in a sequence of high-profile fights.

Claressa Shields

“Of course, why not? Right now, thinking about the middleweight division plus super-middleweight division, to talk about ‘Four Queens,’ we got me, you got Franchon [Crews-Dezurn], you got Savannah Marshall and you have Shadasia Green, if I had to think about the ‘Four Queens’ right now,” Shields told Sky Sports.

Shields has boxed and beaten Savannah Marshall to become the undisputed middleweight champion, but remains open to a rematch

Marshall is stepping up to 168lbs to challenge Franchon Crews-Dezurn for the undisputed super-middleweight title on July 1, live on Sky Sports.

Green, unbeaten with a 12-0 (11) record, is waiting in the wings as the mandatory challenger for the WBC super-middleweight title.

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BOXING

Claressa Shields challenges Jake Paul to a fight

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Claressa Shields

Claressa Shields, the reigning champion in women’s boxing, believes she has what it takes to defeat Jake Paul.

During Saturday night’s match, Paul managed to go the distance against former UFC star Nate Diaz in a 10-round contest.

While the social media influencer-turned-boxer succeeded in knocking down Diaz, he fell short of securing a knockout and Shields has issued a challenge to Paul for a bout.

“Yes facts remains I’ll get Jake Paul too,” Shields wrote on Twitter. “The level that of skill being displayed is mediocre.”

Challenged him in the past too

This is not the first instance of Shields calling out Paul, as she previously asserted in 2021 that she could triumph over him in a boxing match due to her experience sparring with male fighters of higher caliber.

“Jake Paul is making his money, he’s doing his thing, but stay away from us real fighters,” she told TMZ.

“And anybody out there that say ‘Oh, Jake Paul will destroy her because she’s a woman’, … I’m the greatest woman! So, no, Jake Paul won’t do nothing with me and if he think he can, he can come see me.”

Despite Shields‘ assertive comments, it appears highly improbable that Jake Paul would seriously entertain the notion of facing her in a fight.

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BOXING

Terence Crawford hits back at Canelo Alvarez over comments about his record

By
Terence Bud Crawford

Terence Crawford isn’t willing to listen to any slander over his record from Canelo Alvarez, calling the Mexican fighter “delusional” after some recent comments.

The two have been involved in some back and forth with news that Bud is willing to move up three weight classes in order to face the Mexican star.

Crawford recently became the undisputed welterweight champion after a dominant win over Errol Spence Jr. Since then he’s made it clear he wants to fight Alvarez, which was initially dismissed by the Mexican.

However, Alvarez, who will defend his four super-middleweight belts against Jermell Charlo in September, has changed his mind is now open to a fight.

“Crawford is a great fighter,” Alvarez told TMZ Sports. “You never know in boxing, we’ll see in the future. Right now I’m 100 per cent focused on Jermell Charlo, but we’ll see in the future. If it makes sense, why not?”

Crawford hits back at Alvarez

Terence Bud Crawford

Although Alvarez is open to fighting in the ring, he did take a shot at Crawford’s record.

“Like I always said, I respect Crawford,” he said. “He’s a very talented fighter, but he just won one big fight.

“If you see his record, he’s just beaten one good fighter. Other than that, I don’t think he’s beaten other great fighters.”

Those comments didn’t sit well with Crawford, who made his feelings known on social media.

“Here we go with the I haven’t fought nobody but Spence talk,” he posted.

“Lol y’all so delusional it’s crazy.”

Other career highlights for Crawford include being the first man to stop Shawn Porter, while he also won the undisputed super-lightweight world titles after defeating Julius Indongo in 2017.

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CELEB NEWS

“My Lil Mans”: Away From Simone Biles And Family, Husband Jonathan Owens Misses His Fur Child

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Simone Biles

For the last couple of months, Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens have been residing in different states in the wake of their work commitments. While Biles is now back in Texas after clinching glory at the 2023 US Core Hydration Classic, the 2023 Xfinity Gymnastics Championships, and the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, Owens is focused on clinching this year’s Vince Lombardi trophy. However, as the NFL safety resides away from home, he misses one of his closest comrades.

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As Green Bay Packers gird up for its next match with Minnesota Vikings on October 29th, Owens looks forward to bag victory for the team. In the midst of the uphill battle, the NFL safety recently posted an adorable update on his Instagram handle and pulled off the curtains from a fascinating picture of his beloved bulldog.

Jonathan Owens sends cute message to wife and fur child

Simone Biles

Recently, Simone Biles took to Instagram to share an adorable story of one of her French bulldogs, Rambo. In the story, Rambo can be seen sleeping in a basket. Alongside the picture, Biles wrote “smoosh” along with some cute emojis.

Following this, Jonathan Ownes reposted the adorable still on his Instagram story. Owens wrote “Look at my lil mans!!!” in the caption, as the picture showcased his bulldog enjoying a nap. The duo especially harbors a soft spot for bulldogs. In fact, the couple often share updates about their furry friends on social media and give a peek inside their shenanigans.

Simone Biles keeps updating her fandom with Lilo and Rambo’s adorable mischieves

A few months ago, Biles took to Instagram to share the mischief the two cute dogs were up to. She posted stories with the guilty faces of the dogs on her story, adding a “type something” box, and she wrote, “I’m BEGGING for help.

These 2 days won’t stop marking, and I’ve tried everything… – sprays – diapers – belly bands – professional carpet cleaning, and they won’t stop”. The post did not end there. She further expressed her frustration, venting about how the problem persisted despite them being neutered, and she finally said, “I can’t take it anymore… WHAT DO I DO? Doggy boot camp? Or what? It’s gone on for a year now, and I’m OVER IT”.

Now, as Owens resides far from home as he is girding up for his upcoming playoffs, the NFL star expressed his love for his beloved furry friend by re sharing yet another fascinating story on his Instagram handle. Lilo and Rambo, indeed, are the couple’s most favorite comrades, don’t you agree?

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BOXING

“Battle of the Biggest Loser”: Tyson Fury Slams Anthony Joshua for “Begging” to Be on the Oleksandr Usyk Undercard Fight

By
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury

Anthony Joshua recently grabbed headlines for his £2000 splurge on a ‘darkness retreat.’ Little did the limelight fade from that, he announced an exciting news. It is no news that Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, who together hold all four major heavyweight titles, recently agreed to fight. Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua has long wanted to fight Deontay Wilder, who also wants the match.

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Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, revealed that negotiations for a fight in Saudi Arabia have hit a roadblock. They are now looking at alternative locations for a match in February or March. Joshua recently suggested that his fight with Wilder might be a secondary event to the Usyk vs. Fury bout. As for Fury, also known as ‘The Gypsy King,’ he gave a rather dismissive response when asked for his prediction.

What did Tyson Fury say about AJ vs. ‘The Bronze Bomber’?

In a recent interview with IFL TV, Tyson Fury expressed that he finds Joshua’s request to fight Deontay Wilder embarrassing. He says a former heavyweight world champion begging for a fight doesn’t seem right. Not only this, Fury also questioned if Joshua is acting like a child. Fury calls it “the battle of the biggest loser.

Fury says, “It’s quite embarrassing really when you’ve got a former heavyweight world champion begging for a fight, begging to be on the undercard of Fury vs Usyk. Is he a child or what? He wants to go on my undercard, him vs Wilder. The battle of the biggest loser? Come on

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury

To understand this better, one must look at the statement put forward by Anthony Joshua.

Anthony Joshua’s opinion on his fight with Deontay Wilder

Sky Sports reported that Anthony Joshua discussed the highly anticipated bout between Usyk and Fury. Joshua explained that there’s been buzz about this match for some time, emphasizing that it’s set to crown the undisputed champion. He also teased another thrilling match-up, suggesting that a fight between himself and Wilder could be on the undercard

AJ said, “If they get this undisputed fight on [Usyk vs Fury], which has been looming for a while, word on the street is that it’s supposed to be the undisputed fighters and then the undercard is supposed to be a big, lively one with me and Wilder.” Additionally, both fights were promised to be big events.

The boxing world has since been buzzing with anticipation. While Joshua sees it as an exciting opportunity, Tyson Fury dismisses it as embarrassing. The stage is set for high drama, both inside and outside the ring. What is your opinion on AJ vs. Wilder? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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BOXING

Francis Ngannou sets sights on ambitious plan with Anthony Joshua in sights

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Francis Nnganou

Francis Ngannou sets sights on ambitious plan with Anthony Joshua in sights

Francis Ngannou is a massive underdog when he faces Tyson Fury in Riyadh on Saturday but the former UFC champion is already plotting a duel with Anthony Joshua.

MMA superstar Francis Ngannou makes his professional boxing debut against Tyson Fury this weekend, but the former UFC heavyweight champion is already lining up a fight with Anthony Joshua. Ngannou faces WBC heavyweight king Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia on Saturday in one of the biggest crossover events in combat sports history

Ngannou, 37, is a massive underdog against the “Gypsy King”, underlined by the fact Fury has already booked a showdown with Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight crown, which is pencilled in for December 23 in Saudi Arabia. But the Cameroonian believes he has the knockout power to pull off a stunning upset in the Middle East.

All but one of Ngannou’s 17 mixed martial arts victories came inside the distance and his rise to UFC glory, dethroning Stipe Miocic in 2021, made him one of the most feared fighters on the planet. If he upsets the odds in Riyadh on Saturday, Ngannou has his sights set on Fury’s countryman Joshua at London’s Wembley Stadium, although he would have to navigate his way through a rematch with Fury first.

“I think we’re going to run it back for sure first, then maybe see Anthony Joshua,” Ngannou told Sky Sports. “Possibly, I can’t tell, but I’m very excited by (fighting at Wembley). I was in Wembley Stadium when Fury fought Dillian Whyte, the vibe there was quite electric, was quite exciting. I think I’d like to have that dynamic.”

Anthony Joshua

oddsmakers for Saturday’s fight, while Ngannou is priced +750, meaning it would be one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport if the Englishman were to taste defeat.

Ngannou’s challenge is made all the more difficult by inactivity. He has not competed in the octagon for almost two years, with his UFC career coming to an end with a points win over Ciryl Gane to defend the world heavyweight title in January 2022. Ngannou has since signed with the Professional Fighters League but is yet to make his debut in the promotion.

Joshua is preparing for a fight with former world champion Deontay Wilder which is set to be staged in the Middle East, but negotiations have dragged on and the contest is in doubt. Two-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist Joshua last fought in August, knocking out Finland’s Robert Helenius.

Unlike Ngannou, Fury insists he has no interest in fighting Joshua one day. He told IFL TV: “That bird has flown because he is out in the cold, frozen, and that’s it. [Joshua and Wilder] are not relevant to me and I shouldn’t be relevant to them at all.

“They don’t mean anything to me, they’re finished. They are out in the cold. I laugh the loudest now, it is what it is.”

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BOXING

Joshua could face unbeaten German Kabayel December 23

By
Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua could face unbeaten German fighter Agit Kabayel on December 23, his promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed – after ruling out a showdown between the British star and Deontay Wilder.

Joshua is looking for his next opponent as he continues his road to recovery following crushing back-to-back defeats against Oleksandr Usyk, with AJ getting back to winning ways against Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius this year.

But despite fans demanding a mouth-watering clash between Joshua and former WBC world champion Deontay Wilder, talks for that fight are now on the rocks. It was set to be staged in Saudi Arabia before changes in the country’s boxing management left it in doubt.

Hearn had been discussing possible opponents after giving up hope on the Wilder fight coming to fruition this year, saying Kabayel – who has won all 23 of his pro bouts – was a contender. He also suggested unbeaten Croatian star Filip Hrgovic and Swedish fighter Otto Wallin.

However, he dismissed suggestions that WBA ‘regular’ champion Mahmoud Charr could step in and fight AJ.

Charr] is looking for an opponent. He’s got the WBA regular title, which we certainly wouldn’t be saying Joshua is a three-time heavyweight champion [if he won that belt]. Definitely not,” he told SecondsOut.

“But at the same time, if he’s going to fight someone in December, I’m not saying it will be Charr, but it could be Kabayel. It could be Hrgovic or Wallin out of this situation, let’s see what happens.”

Kabayel’s most famous win came when he shocked Dereck Chisora by beating the British star by unanimous decision in 2017.

Hearn said anyone who wanted to see Joshua fight Wilder, Zhilei Zhang – fresh off his second victory over Joe Joyce – or old opponent Andy Ruiz would be disappointed as he revealed how his star boxer was insistent that he fight three times in 2023.

ANTHONY JOSHUA

“It’s not going to be Deontay Wilder, it’s not going to be Andy Ruiz, and it probably won’t be Zhang, so you have to look at that top-15,” he added

We’re more [sure] on the date than the opponent. He wants to fight in December.

“In his head he says he wanted to fight three times in a year. But I said, “you fought in April”. He said, “no, I want to fight three times in 2023”. So he would love to get in in December. And we’ll have to keep one eye on the 23rd (of December) because we just don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Speaking at the United States Grand Prix this weekend, Joshua remained coy about the December bout.\

“It won’t be a championship fighter – which is Usyk and Fury,” he said. “It won’t be none of them guys and I am not too sure about the Wilder situation.”

He did talk up the possibility of facing Wilder next year and even suggested it could take place on the same card as Tyson Fury against Usyk.

“They want to put Usyk v Fury and Joshua v Wilder on the same night,” he added.

“When Fury gets through Ngannou it is going to be late October going into November, so I doubt he will prepare for Usyk and then fight in December.

“It is too short. So the next window will be in March or April and that is when the undisputed fight will happen. What we are being told is that they want to make it a mega card.”

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BOXING

unbelievably talented’: Eddie Hearn rates Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney, and Shakur Stevenson

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Gervonta and Haney Shakur

Following the official press conference announcing Devin Haney’s upcoming fight against Regis Prograis, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn talks to reporters about his thoughts on Haney and how he would compare him to his contemporaries like Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and Shakur Stevenson. Here’s some of what Hearn had to say below.

Hearn on who’s best between Tank, Haney, and Stevenson

“I’m a big fan of all of ‘em. I think Gervonta Davis is a beast, I think he’s very exciting. I think Shakur has tremendous fundamentals. I think if you’re looking at wins, then it’s definitely between Devin Haney and Tank. If you’re talking about ability, I mean they’re all unbelievably talented and you have to throw Shakur in that mix.

“But Shakur hasn’t beaten anyone yet of massive note. I know the win against Valdez was a big win at super feather. But at lightweight he hasn’t beaten anybody yet, and that’s not his fault. I do believe he’ll go on to be a great but right now if you look at the resumes…you have to say Devin but Tank has got a great resume as well.

“I don’t think it’s really a comparison. I think if Devin beats Prograis, I think then you’re talking about another level of moving up weight classes, beating the top at 140 or arguably the top guy at 140, and a guy that has power as well.

“I think if you look at Kambosos and you look at Lomachenko, neither guy has destructive power like Regis Prograis does. I think that’s what makes this fight really intriguing.”

Hearn on what he saw in Haney when he signed him to Matchroom

Devin Haney amd Gervonta Tank

“Just saw a bit of a superstar, really. I like the smile. He’s a very polite, respectful man. Bill’s raised him very well. I mean Bill has his ups and downs but you can’t question the job Bill’s done with Devin. I mean, it’s been unbelievable.

“And what I like about Bill as well, it’s not a total control thing. Like, he’s willing to bring people in, he’s willing to take advice. But what I saw in Devin in a guy who’s completely committed to his craft and as a promoter I like working with people like that because you know you’re going to get the most out of what you’ve got.

“So we’ll do the best we can do, you do the best you can do, and God will decide the rest. And with Devin it’s like once you’ve got a talent that you know is going to work hard, I just felt like at the time he was a big acquisition for us because he was the kind of fighter that we needed.

“And it was really difficult when he had to make that decision to sign with Top Rank, because they froze us out completely. It’s a great learning curve, you know. Lou DiBella really had the keys to make that fight because he had Kambosos, he had the site deal, and he didn’t want to do it with us. That’s the reality. Devin was desperate to do it with us.

“When I started working with Devin we had a pact together that he would be my first undisputed champion in America…I will always remember he tried and tried and tried and tried to do the deal with us and DAZN, and in the end he found it difficult to tell me — and I knew what he had to do — and I said to him ‘I know you have to do it’ and he said to me ‘I’ll promise I’ll be back. I promise.’ But I said ‘you can’t turn this down.’ He would’ve had to turn down the opportunity to become undisputed to stay with me who couldn’t deliver him the undisputed fight.

“So when he went it was a bit of a kick in the cojones, but he promised me he’ll be back…and true to his word he’s back and I believe this relationship, win or lose, will continue.”

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BOXING

Claressa Shields has started training camp for mooted intergender fight with Keith Thurman

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Claressa Shields

Claressa Shields, the undisputed women’s middleweight champion, claims she is in training camp for a spectacular intergender fight with former welterweight king Keith Thurman.

The Olympic Gold medalist is undefeated with a perfect 14-0 record and retained the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, WBF, and The Ring female middleweight titles in her last bout against Maricela Cornejo in Detroit, Michigan in June.

She’s defeated every woman she’s stepped in the ring against but now the self-proclaimed ‘GWOAT’ wants to square off against Thurman, whose only career defeat came against Manny Pacquiao.

Shields put the challenge out on Monday, claiming that she could outbox him.

The three-weight world champion wrote: “I’ll fight Thurman at 154lbs so serious. All the respect in the world to him too. I just think I can outbox him.”

Thurman has been extremely inactive in recent times, fighting just once in the last four years. In response, he expressed his interest in a charity bout but requested that Shields wear bigger gloves and protective headgear as he doesn’t “want to punch a girl in the face”.

Claressa Shields

Shields, who was once challenged to a spar with Jake Paul, didn’t like that comment one bit and fired back, pointing out that she is bigger and taller than Thurman and telling him to wear a “big cup shield”.

The 28-year-old said: “Aww, Keith you are hilarious. Yes, you are a man and champion, but you are not good enough to only use one hand on me.

“Now for charity or raising money for a foundation, we can definitely do it. I’ll come in at 160 too, I’m actually bigger than you and taller.

“And lastly if we are ‘sparring’ of course I’ll wear a ‘headgear’ but for a charity event or raising money for a foundation you can keep the head gear bookie butt and you can wear a big cup shield cause I’m gonna punch you hard in the stomach like Luiz did.”

But it seems as though Shields is not playing. On Tuesday, she tweeted to say she is now training with former two-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson.

Stevenson added: “Let’s do it”, accompanying the GOAT emoji.

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